After Aix-en-Provence and Cassis our Mercedes minivan returned us to Marseille where we first visited Palais Longchamp for some quick photos, then onward to the harbor.

Palais Longchamp

At the harbor is where our little tour group temporarily separated for a little lunch and on-foot sightseeing.

Marseille

Photo tip: When travelling in Europe (and other places) remember to look well beyond photographing the ABCs (Another Bloody Castle/Cathedral/Church). Look for interesting textures and colors presented by the more mundane and everyday:

Fishnet

Shutters

The Rowboat

After our group rejoined our next stop was high above Marseille — the stunningly beautiful Neo-Byzantine (hey, if it ain’t Baroque, don’t nix it) Notre-Dame de la Garde — which overlooks the entire area from a height of nearly 500 feet (150 meters).

Notre-Dame de la Garde overlooking Marseille

The views from this exquisite basilica aren’t all outside, however. The interior is equally stunning: